Each student, admitted to the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, is responsible for becoming familiar with the general regulations of the Graduate School as stated in the “Policies” section of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Bulletin and with the more specific requirements stated in the individual section on each department, division, or program which may go beyond, or supplement, the Graduate School Standards.

If necessary, the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences staff is available to interpret or clarify any rule or regulation.  You may view the latest edition of the Bulletin on-line.

Boston University does not permit a student to enroll simultaneously in more than one graduate program either within Boston University or at another institution, unless those programs have been previously approved by the Trustees of Boston University as a combined degree program.

Boston University policy requires all students studying on Massachusetts campuses to provide an emergency alert phone number. In addition, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts requires all full-time and many part-time university students to provide proof of having completed a series of immunizations. Check the Student Link to ensure you have met these requirements. Students not in compliance will be unable to register for future semesters.

Please visit the BU Student Health Services website for important information regarding required medical forms and immunizations.

Student Health Services

Please make sure that all your previous degrees are accurately reflected on your record. You can verify this information on your account using the following instructions:

• From the StudentLink homepage, select the Academics tab
• On the Academics page, select “Diploma and Graduation Information”
• On this page, all your previous degrees should be listed.

If you have submitted your final transcript(s) with the degree conferred or awarded, but do not see this information reflected on your StudentLink account, please contact the Graduate School Admissions Office at 617-353-2696 for more information.

If you have not submitted your final transcript(s) as requested in your admission letter, please bring the transcript(s) to the Graduate School Admissions Office as soon as possible so that we can update your record to reflect all previous degrees conferred. We are located at 705 Commonwealth Avenue, Suite 112.

We can just about guarantee you’ll make extensive use of Boston’s rapid transit system (the MBTA, or simply, “the T”) while you are a student at BU.

Boston University is located at several stops along the Boston College branch (B Line) of the Green Line.

Schedules and fares

The MBTA’s Fall Semester Pass Program allows students to pre-pay for their four monthly “T” passes (September 1 – December 31, 2013) and thereby save approximately 11% off the regular monthly “T” pass price.  Please note the deadline for the Fall 2013 Semester Pass Program has not yet been announced.

Registration will take place in your department. Contact your department for specific information on dates of advising and registration.

Some departments allow students to register using WebReg, BU’s web-based registration system. If your department allows you to register online, look over the instructions.  You will receive an Advising Code from your department to access WebReg.

For those students whose departments will process registration forms, check with the department staff for more information.

For all students who register for less than 12 credits, you must bring a copy of your registration form to the GRS Records Office for your status to be changed from full-time to the appropriate status. If this change is not made, you will be charged full-time tuition.

• Registration Form
• Academic Calendar
• Important Semester Dates (including Last Day to Add/Drop Classes)
• Class Add/Drop Form
• Graduation Calendar

Registration Information

Students are reminded that, in accordance with the Code of Student Responsibilities (Appendix 15), current addresses must be on file with the University. We ask that you provide this information via the University’s online Student Link. Please be advised that addresses will not be updated from information provided on the registration form.

The home address currently on file for you is the permanent address provided on your application for admission. Local addresses should be updated once you have located housing in the Boston area. If your name or Social Security number has changed or is incorrect, these can be updated at the Office of the University Registrar at 881 Commonwealth Avenue, Second Floor.  This information cannot be changed using the Student Link.

International students are required to check in with the International Students and Scholars Office after arriving on campus. For information about new student orientation offered by the ISSO, check this website.

An invoice of your student account will be mailed to you. You can view your student account on the StudentLink.

Payment should be submitted to the Student Accounting Services Office, not the Graduate School Office.

For more information, access Student Accounting Services.

Payment Deadlines

Please visit the Student Accounting Services site regarding Medical Insurance. This site provides important information about the BU Medical Insurance Plan, comparable insurance requirements and waiver of the BU Medical Insurance Plan. Part-time students and dependents of full-time students may choose to enroll in the medical insurance plan offered through Boston University. Please note the official deadline to waive medical insurance coverage offered through Boston University has not yet been announced.  For more information, please visit Student Accounting Services website.

All Graduate School of Arts and Sciences students are required to complete the settlement process to be officially registered each semester.  A student will be charged a late fee if the account is not paid/settled by the payment deadline.  The payment deadline for Fall 2013 is Monday, September 16, 2013. For more information regarding loans, external funding sources and more, please visit the Financial Aid website.

Payment/Settlement Procedures

The Sports Pass will automatically be charged to your student account if you are a full-time Charles River Campus student. The Sports Pass will allow you admission to 18 home men’s ice hockey and 18 home women’s ice hockey games, as well as 11 home men’s basketball and 11 home women’s basketball games (a $350 value).

For individualized information regarding your sports pass, or to cancel your sports pass, visit the Student Link. You may deduct the Sports Pass charge from the balance you remit if you list the cancellation on your invoice stub.

Once you are registered, you can obtain a student ID from the Terrier Card Office.  Student photo ID cards (Terrier Card) are issued at the Terrier Card Office, George Sherman Union, 775 Commonwealth Avenue, Lower Level. Your student account does not have to be settled in order to obtain your student ID card.  You must present a picture ID (e.g., driver’s license or passport).  Office hours are Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. through 5 p.m.

A student who is registered for a semester and decides not to attend must officially take a leave of absence or withdraw. Mere absence from classes does not constitute a withdrawal. A leave of absence should be taken when the student intends to return in a future semester; a withdrawal indicates a decision to permanently leave the University. Charges are canceled in accordance with the published refund schedule, based on the effective date of the withdrawal or leave of absence.

more information

Links for computing resources on campus, as well as information on where to obtain support for your personal computer can be found at www.bu.edu/tech.

Information Services & Technology Information